As the nation finds itself in the throes of constant political turmoil, it appears that one particular ailment has taken hold, sweeping across the land with the tenacity of a summertime mosquito. Yes, it’s that time of the week again—TDS Tuesday, where the affliction known as Trump Derangement Syndrome takes center stage. Cases of TDS seem to be popping up faster than new restaurants in the nation’s capital, proving once again that politics, like reality TV, is an unending circus.
The symptoms of TDS are as predictable as a Hallmark movie plot. Ask anyone exhibiting signs of this disorder about something positive Donald Trump has done, and it’s like asking a cat to recite Shakespeare—you’re more likely to get a spontaneous tap dance than a straight answer. When posed with such a question, those afflicted tend to offer responses that are as coherent as a word salad, refusing to acknowledge any good that might have come from the former president’s tenure, even if it was something they secretly enjoyed, like lower taxes.
Of course, suggesting closing the southern border as an achievement quickly turns you into a scapegoat for patient zero. The vitriol spewed is enough to give your ears a suntan. There’s a tendency among critics to predict Trump’s political demise with the precision of a weatherman forecasting rain in a desert. Yet, if political history has taught us anything, it’s that predicting the political expiration date for someone like Trump is about as accurate as using a Magic 8-Ball to solve world hunger.
Meanwhile, it’s a fascinating display of selective outrage. Take, for instance, the ghostly performances of President Biden. He could have spent his presidency practicing chess with Casper the Friendly Ghost, and his loyal followers wouldn’t bat an eyelid. But mention Trump’s name, and it’s like poking a bear with a stick. Suddenly, every minor misstep or poorly worded tweet becomes a sign of the apocalypse.
In a rare moment of clarity, hope springs eternal as some signs of recovery emerge from unexpected places. Hollywood, long assumed to be the final resting place of impartiality, shows potential for recovery. Iconic figures, those who entertain for the love of the craft rather than a pulpit for political sermonizing, reinforce that engagement should be more meaningful than commentary on the latest White House faux pas. As TDS Tuesday reminds us, awareness and a little humor can go a long way in diagnosing and perhaps curing this baffling syndrome.
